Still standing at the doorway—because no one had invited him in yet—Decker spoke in short sentences. Even so, his words weren’t registering.

Jill’s eyes had turned feral. She hissed when she spoke. “You didn’t know him all that well. You could have made a mistake.”

Decker said, “Maybe we should all go inside.”

They stared back at him: Jill with her red, pinched nose dripping clear snot all over her green sweats, and Carter, pale green in complexion and stymied by shock. He was dressed in a work shirt and jeans. Decker lowered his head, attempting to cross the threshold. Passively, they split ranks and let him enter. Carter immediately fell into a chair, battling a bad case of nausea, dropping his head between his knees. But it was Jill who made the sudden run for the bathroom. They could both hear her retching.

Carter whispered, “How do you know? How are you certain?”

“The camp’s coordinator—Corporal Tarpin—positively identified him.”

“Oh, God!” Tears flowed down the man’s cheeks. “But just maybe he made a mistake?”

Pleading, begging. It was pure pathos, heart wrenching.

“I’m afraid not, Mr. Golding. I saw him as well.”

More awful silence. The questions would come. Slowly at first, then they’d barrage him, getting angrier at each query. It was a pattern that Decker was all too familiar with.

Carter said, “I’m grateful I was home.”

Talking from a male perspective. He had been there to take care of his wife. Carter didn’t know what Decker knew, that she wouldn’t want his care and she wouldn’t want his protection. What she wanted was her son back, and since she couldn’t have that, he was of no use to her at this time.

Carter looked up. “At least she didn’t hear it alone.” A pause. “You’re sure?”

“I’m sure.”

Carter pointed to a chair.

Decker sat.

“What…” That was all he could get out.

“Perhaps we should wait for your wife. She’ll want to know, sir. She’ll have to know.”

Carter didn’t argue. And eventually Jill did return, with mottled white skin and shaking hands.

Carter said, “He was going to tell…”

Silence.

She bit her lip as tears rushed from her eyes. Then she nodded quickly.

Short and simple. Decker said, “Right now, this is confidential. Dr. Baldwin was also murdered. They were found together in a double bedroll.”

Jill looked up and covered her mouth as her eyes widened. “Oh my God!” Breathing hard. “Oh my dear God! Together?”

Decker nodded.

“So where was Mervin?” Carter said. “Are you implying that he did it?”

Decker nearly kicked himself, realizing his error. “Mr. Golding, it was Mervin who was murdered. It’s Dee Baldwin who’s missing.”

Carter stood up, full of venom. “Just what are you saying?”

“I’m just telling you what we saw—”